Muslim Superheros

DETROIT (AP) - Comic book fans might call it a great originstory: In the aftermath of 9/11, a Muslim man creates a comic bookseries, "The 99," inspired by the principles of his faith. It builds a global audience and investors contribute millionsfor it to continue and expand. But there have been obstacles forthe creator, Naif Al-Mutawa. Some hardline Muslims think the series should not use humancharacters to embody the 99 qualities of Allah, as spelled out inthe Quran. The series has yet to gain traction in the United States, wherethe political and cultural climate since 9/11 has broughtskepticism and suspicion about anything related to Islam. Al-Mutawa says the resistance is evidence that more is needed tocounter intolerant ideologies of all types.